RIP: Harold Pinter 1930 - 2008

Au Hasard Balthazar

A profound masterpiece that has not lost one bit of its sheer power. Through a donkey who's condemned to a life or burden and suffering like most its kind in the world, Bresson shows the nobleness of the animal compared to humans who always use and abuse the animal for their benefit while the animal bears it all. It's a heartbreaking film in the light of all the animal abuse that's still going on in the world. Humans may never learn. Bresson's film is an staggering accomplishment in the world of cinema. The beauty of the film is that will mean different things to different people. YRCinema's covering of films on DVD.

The Hidden Fortress

This epic masterpiece of Akira Kurosawa is told through the point of view of two peasants that represent all the good and the bad of humanity not. This two greedy peasants get to see nobility and sacrifice first hand when a general and a princess try to smuggle gold out of the enemy territory. Kurosawa shows that root to most evil lays in the greed of the humankind. Any other filmmaker would have told the film through the general or the princess. Through humor and action Kurosawa shows a timeless tale in this classic. YRCinema coverage of films on DVD.

Classe Tous Risques

Claude Sautet's explosive debut about a gangster on the run is a great character study with a stellar performance by the great Lino Ventura. A notorious gangster returns to Paris with his two young sons and the police close behind him. This riveting thriller starts with a bang and never slows down and also features a young and hot Jean-Paul Belmondo in his follow up to Godard's "À Bout de Souffle". Sautet's film is based on the gritty novel of real life criminal turned author José Giovanni and even cast a real gangster in a crucial role. Everything is right on in the classic film noir made during the French New Wave. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Day I Became a Woman

Marzieh Meshkini's surreal trip-tech about the oppression of women in Iran is a fresh voice in the Iranian cinema that has been dominated by men. The film is written by her husband filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf whose entire family has made films meanwhile. The three short films depict three generation of women, each of them facing dire consequences. The film is a visually stunning poem to women and set in the sun drenched seaside town of Kish that shows a different side of Iran we haven't seen before. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Robert Mulligan 1925 - 2008

Kings & Queen

Arnaud Desplechin's astonishingly complex and layered portrait of a woman and the men in her life in this drama that unfolds like a novel. Emmanuelle Devos gives a compelling performance as the on verge of a breakdown but Mathieu Amalric steals every scene as the unstable ex-husband whose help she needs at a crucial time. Fully developed characters and a superb cast makes this film stand out. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Milk

Gus Van Sant makes a surprisingly effective and powerful film about the life of Harvey Milk and the gay civil rights movement that still fights strongly. The film is timely in the wake of Proposition 8 that bans gay marriage which makes this film still relevant. Sean Penn delivers a fearless performance along with a fine cast that includes James Franco and Josh Brolin as his lover and nemesis. Van Sant makes a return from his experimental cinema exercises to make this conventional period piece. The film belongs to Sean Penn and ranks him next to Daniel Day-Lewis amongst the best actors in Hollywood. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

Ben X

A visually stunning and inventive film about a young autistic man's desperate attempt to function in the society while he finds refuge in a video game where he's more advanced than most. The film's a cautionary tale about school bullying that sends many to suicide each year. While the film's intention's are noble and several issues that needs to be addressed, the film always doesn't work specially the pacing and character development. The mixed use of graphics and live action works well along with the score. The documentary like interviews doesn't always work and the happy ending feels false. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Reprise

This stylish film is an homage to the New Wave films specially Godard. The film about two friends who aspire to literary success works well only partially. The style gets too much in the way of the substance. It's hard to root for the wealthy and good looking protagonists when the director constantly opts for flashy visuals when you need to see the root of the angst and problems. The film is rather cold and distant but an impressive debut for writer and director Joachim Trier. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The English Patient

Anthony Minghella wrote and directed this classic masterpiece based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Ondaatje. A cinematic tour de force about love, war and identity amongst many other themes. The film is a complex layered story that's hard to categorize but its power has not diminished since its release in 1996 and features powerful and heart breaking performances by Juliette Binoche, Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas among a solid cast and crew. Legendary producer Saul Zaentz (Amadeus) produced this magnificent film and established the careers of many involved by sweeping 9 Academy Awards.

The Reader

After the excellent "The Hours", director Stephen Daldry and writer David Hare deliver another finely tuned, meticulously layered and emotionally devastating film about the powers of love, secrets and guilt on both personal and national level. It's no small feat to pull of but Daldry does it by having an impeccable cast that includes the always reliable Ralph Fiennes and the fearless Kate Winslet who along with Cate Blanchett are one of the few actresses who can do no wrong. The film is first rate from every aspect and is one of the last films produced by the late Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

Cadillac Records

Writer and director Darnell Martin brings the story of Chess Records and its artists in this musical drama. The legendary and visionary Leonard Chess changed the world by signing legends such as Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry amongst others that gave birth to Rock and Roll before it was hijacked by the white men like the Beach Boys and Elvis. Martin found an excellent cast for this ensemble including Adrian Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Beyoncé Knowles who finally delivers the sparks that she was supposed to in "Dreamgirls". The real highlight of the film is the music which is astonishing and performed by the actors. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

Talk to Me

Director Kasi Lemmons brings the talents of Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor to tell the true story of Petey Greene and Dewey Hughes who changed the radio broadcast in the 60's Washington DC at a crucial time in the Civil Rights Movement. Cheadle and Ejiofor give riveting performances as the leads along with Taraji P. Henson who gives another stunning performance. The story and performances are a revelation to most who weren't around the 60's and 70's. As you would expect the soundtrack will please everybody and is one of the delights of this intriguing film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Music of the Heart

Horror master Wes Craven stepped out of his genre to direct Meryl Streep in the true inspirational story. Thanks to Streep the film rises above the formula and captures the essence of the story thanks to the writing skills of Pamela Gray (A Walk on the Moon, Betty Anne Waters). The true story of Roberta Guaspari whose live changes after her husband leaves and she goes to Harlem to teach violin to underprivileged children. The film shows the testimonial of the power art and its importance in the society. The story first reported in the New York Times become a world wide sensation that ended as a major motion picture that earned Streep an Academy Award nomination. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Resident Evil: Extinction

Milla Jovovich returns for third film where the virus has wiped the entire planet. A good looking cast and non-stop action brings the trilogy to an satisfying end. The film pays homage to Mad Max, The Road Warrior and The Birds along the way. Jovovich's Alice reminds a lot of Sigourney Weaver's Ripley in Alien: Resurrection. Director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander) is the most competent of all the directors in the series. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Australia

Baz Luhrman's signature style that served him well on his Red Curtain Trilogy including the smashing "Moulin Rouge" fails him in this debacle of a film even if it's toned down. There's too many flaws in almost every department but mainly the screenplay and treatment of the film that steals every cliché from Hollywood that it's hard to take anything seriously. The film comes alive when the beauty of Australia is shown without any enhancements and the presence of the aborigines, specially the superb David Gulpilil (Walkabout, Rabbit-Proof Fence) and newcomer Brandon Walters who does more than holding up to the big stars. Their presence remind us of all the weaknesses, specially the artificiality of the film that leaves a bad aftertaste. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

Transformers

Director Michael Bay delivers in this blockbuster with all the right ingredients. The non-stop action packed sci-fi comedy features the latest visual effects along with Shia LaBeouf providing comic relief while hot babe Megan Fox steams up every scene she's in. The film hits the notes it needs to please everybody who's in just for the fun ride. There's should be sequels as expected with heavy paychecks for everyone involved. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

CRITICS AWARDS 4: SATELLITE™ Awards

Best Film: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Best Foreign Film: GOMORRA
Best Documentary: MAN ON WIRE
Best Director : DANNY BOYLE, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Best Actor: RICHARD JENKINS, THE VISITOR
Best Actress: ANGELINA JOLIE, CHANGELING
Best Adapted Screenplay: PETER MORGAN, FROST/NIXON
Best Original Screenplay: THOMAS MCCARTHY, THE VISITOR

For more info: http://www.pressacademy.com

Silk

Writer and director François Girard misses a great potential in this story about a 19Th century silk worm trader who has to travel to Japan for the precious eggs. Though the film is based on a book, no matter how faithful it is to the source, it doesn't work on film. The biggest flaw is the screenplay and it is apparent in every scene where crucial and important information is omitted for the sake of scenery and overbearing score that supposedly serve the non-existent and unbelievable love story that never makes sense for a minute. There's absolutely zero character development and you don't feel or care for anybody. The actors are not at fault in anyway and one wonders how Keira Knightly ended up in this mess. Michael Pitt is miscast as the lead and looks like a skater dude than a 19Th century Frenchman. The only thing that remains is the beautiful cinematography and score that are over used to the point of annoyance. It's a shame that so much great potential has been wasted for what could have been a great film. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Sunshine

Danny Boyle tried to reinvent the Sci-Fi genre with this stylish and thought provoking action thriller like he did with the zombie film with "28 Days Later". However the film was to high brow for the US market and didn't get much of an attention. The story is set in the near future where the sun is on the brink of dying and humankind's last attempt to revive it. Boyle casts Cillian Murphy again along with an international cast including Chris Evans and Michelle Yeoh. The film is more like 2001 and Solaris than Star Wars or Star Trek which explains its failure. The ever versatile Boyle creates another striking film that's visually stunning and thrilling. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

TOP 10: American Film Institute (AFI)

01. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
02. THE DARK KNIGHT
03. FROST/NIXON
04. FROZEN RIVER
05. GRAN TORINO
06. IRON MAN
07. MILK
08. WALL•E
09. WENDY AND LUCY
10. THE WRESTLER

For more info: AFI AWARDS 2008

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Director David Fincher (Zodiac) delivers an instant classic with this epic tale about love, life and death amongst others. The story based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby) about a man born old and grows younger as he gets older while he falls in love with a woman that ages in the opposite direction. Writers Eric Roth (Forrest Gump) and Robin Swicord (Memoirs of a Geisha) have taken the short story and extended to an epic proportion with heart and humor. The film is also a valentine to the city of New Orleans and America of the last century. It's an ambitious project that has been in the making for few years due to extensive visual effects that have been used to serve the story that will turn many heads about the possibilities of visual effects. Fincher and Brad Pitt's third collaboration after "Se7en" and "Fight Club" is their best work where both have matured beyond style with a lot of substance but it remains to be seen whether the film will have the same success as the previous two. Besides the superb Cate Blanchett, the film features award worthy performances by Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton and Jared Harris amongst the excellent cast. YRCinema's coverage of upcoming releases.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse

Since Milla Jovovich never could shake up her image of "The Fifth Element", she has cashed on it in the Resident Evil Trilogy which is a B version of the Alien trilogy. In this second part, she's returns as the zombie killing babe, Alice. Despite her warning, the virus outbreak reaches outside. The corrupt Umbrella Corp genetically modify her and turn her int a deadly weapon that backfires on them. The series based on a video game is fun to watch because it never tries to be serious. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

CRITICS AWARDS 3: NY Film Critics Circle

Best Picture
Milk

Best Director
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Actor
Sean Penn, Milk

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, Milk

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Foreign Film
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

Best Animated Film
WALL-E

Best Documentary
Man on Wire

Best Screenplay
Jenny Lumet, Rachel Getting Married

Best Cinematography
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire

2007

For more info: http://www.nyfcc.com/index.php

Quantum of Solace

Bond is back with a vengeance in the meanest and leanest film yet. The first sequel of the series shows that among the new features, there will be a continuation to Bond's and others character development from film to film. The successful Bourne films had cast a shadow on Bond that he couldn't allow himself to be out shined, so with this film that shadow has been lifted. Everything works fine and there's nothing wasted thanks to Marc Forster and team. There's some criticism about this film that's totally unfounded. The Bond excitement is back and worth to wait for what's going to happen next. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

CRITICS AWARDS 2: LA Film Critics Association

Best Film
Wall-E

Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor
Sean Penn, Milk

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Screenplay
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Foreign-language Film
Still Life

Best Documentary
Man on Wire

Best Animation
Waltz With Bashir

Best Cinematography
Yu Lik Wai, Still Life

Best Production design
Mark Friedberg, Synecdoche, New York

Best Score
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

CRITICS AWARDS 1: National Board of Review

Best Film
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Foreign Language Film
MONGOL

Best Documentary
MAN ON WIRE

Best Actor
CLINT EASTWOOD, Gran Torino

Best Actress
ANNE HATHAWAY, Rachel Getting Married

Best Supporting Actor
JOSH BROLIN, Milk

Best Supporting Actress
PENELOPE CRUZ, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Director
DAVID FINCHER, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Adapted Screenplay
SIMON BEAUFOY, Slumdog Millionaire and ERIC ROTH, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Screenplay
NICK SCHENK, Gran Torino

Best Animated Feature
WALL-E

Predator

A silly but entertaining Sci-Fi action adventure that's tailor made to the talents of Arnold Schwarzenegger. A team of mercenaries find themselves hunted by an alien warrior who has the technological advantages except that its heat sensors can't detect humans when they are covered in mud. The neon green alien blood is one of the weakest effects in this campy Sci-Fi action adventure. The first of the three blockbusters John McTiernan directed, he followed it with "Die Hard" and "The Hunt for the Red October" before his career disintegrated. It's also the first film that feature two future Governors, the other being Jesse Ventura. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto

Japanese superstar Toshirô Mifune stars in this epic tale that's considered the "Gone With The Wind" of Japan. In the first part of the three films, Takezo (Mifune) through a series of adventures grows from a wild orphan to a responsible adult who finds love and his path to become a Samurai. This film is a must for all who love epic film making with a larger than life story in the exotic Japan of the 16Th century. The young and dashing Mifune proves he's worthy of all the acclaim that the legendary actor achieved in a glorious career. The film won the second Oscar for Japan after "Rashomon". YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Turtles Can Fly

Kurdish filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi (A Time for Drunken Horses) shot the first film in Iraq after the war about Kurdish refugees at a camp in the border of Turkey on the eve of the US invasion. It's a heartbreaking tale of children without a childhood that have to cope with their miserable lives. At the center is the 13 year old entrepreneur Satellite who installs them for villagers besides sending his gang of kids to defuse and collect landmines to sell. When a beautiful and haunted girl arrives in the camp with her armless brother, he falls for her while her brother predicts a dire future for the country. Ghobadi is one of the few filmmakers who sheds light on the heartbreaking plights of the Kurdish people who have been prosecuted for centuries by Iraq, Iran and Turkey. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

A Woman is a Woman

Nobody in the history of cinema experimented by breaking all the possible rules and got away with it like Jean-Luc Godard in his films. In this follow up to his smashing international hit "À Bout de Souffle" (Breathless) he shoots his wife Anna Karina in this comedy that's part documentary and part musical about a love triangle. The film has to be seen to believe with what Godard got a way and how he systematically he breaks all rules on the big screen. The film works more like a historical piece on cinema and time capsule of the 60's Paris. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.